BROADENING SITE: As YouTube continues to expand as a music destination, it’s making itself more welcoming to independent labels and musicians.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: A new feature called Merch Store allows users to purchase fan merchandise directly on an artist’s YouTube channel. YouTube is also announcing a long-awaited deal with global rights agency Merlin, which represents some 14,000 independent labels.
WHY IT’S SIGNIFICANT: YouTube has been very good to bedroom singers, who have found a quick path to fame, and major labels, which have benefited from some of the largest digital audiences for their top music videos. But the middle tier _ hundreds of independent labels and their deep rosters of bands _ has sometimes been marginalized.
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